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Greetings,

I've caught a decent amount of Suns games this year and I've been thoroughly impressed with Devin Booker. Watching this guy play, I find it amazing that he is only a rookie. Haven't seen such great composure for a 19 year old in a long time. What is his floor? Or more importantly, what is his ceiling? Klay Thompson or a better version of JJ Redick?

Obviously he can shoot, but he has surprised me with some athleticism and play-making ability. I think his biggest question mark is his defense.

What are your thoughts?

I am really surprised to how well he has adjusted.
I always knew he had the shot and the shooting ability to make it far in the league, but felt there would be
a good 2 year learning curve considering the fact that he only played one season of college ball.

He is shooting nearly 50% from the field and 46% from the 3

His playing time has doubled recently and in the last 5 games as his minutes averaged near 30
he's putting up 16 and 4

I think I overlooked him in college due to him playing with KAT, Harrison twins, Trey Lyles etc

He was definitely under the radar guy on that Kentucky team, and is more NBA ready than people think although he has a 5 yr old baby face.

Eric Bledsoe going down is a huge opportunity for him.

Future All-Star you can BOOK IT. One of the few bright spots on the dumpster fire that is this team. Of course his wet jumper is money but his offensive game is predicated more on craftiness and off the ball movement although we aren't setting enough high screens and are misusing him by having him camp out as a corner pocket 3 catch and shooter. He is surrounded by low IQ heroball chuckers so its refreshing to see how selectively he picks his spots and looks to make plays for teammates. I think he has the potential to be among the league leaders in eFG% with a larger sample size. With more confidence he will become less hesitant to pull the trigger. He can also put the ball on the deck and take it to the hole. He has been suprisingly good finish at the rim while taking contact and has so far gotten to the charity stripe at a solid rate. He has enough lateral agility to stay in front of his man and can generate pressure but his limited wingspan/ length makes him a liability on the other end. If he can hold up there he should supplant the Knightmare as our starting SG by next season.

Klay Thompson Jr

I would castrate myself if it meant Booker was a Piston as soon as today.

I'm that high on the kid.

Shooting is great. Has good patience and smart.

But defense is absolutely terrible. His defense awareness is already there but his lack of defense skills and lack of length and athleticism really shows defensively. A good defensive coach may be able to make his not terrible team defense wise.

Outside of their abilities to hit the 3pt shot and have light skinned colour... He aint Klay Thompson.

But he can be a very rich man's Reddick. Which is a star level player.

wow, totally took me by surprise. Thought he was a total bust after I saw his lack of athleticism and defense. Looks like a capable shooter that will be in the league for 10+ years. What's his ceiling though? JJ reddick? or higher?

Catalysm wrote:I would castrate myself if it meant Booker was a Piston as soon as today.

I'm that high on the kid.

All I saw when I read this......

In all seriousness, I think he has big time game and could be a great 2nd option on a contending team in a few years.

Prime Joe Johnson


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Future 20+ scorer. He's just so smooth.

Dude's pro comparison from most scouting and draft sites had been Klay Thompson. He's looking pretty good so far. It's a good system for him too with no other go-to SG on that team.

It's refreshing to see players like him in the league. His offensive game looks so smooth.

Catalysm wrote:I would castrate myself if it meant Booker was a Piston as soon as today.

I'm that high on the kid.

Would you do that had DET picked him over SJ on the 8th spot? Or you already did it when they refused to pick Winslow?

its still really early but hes making me a little jealous as a magic fan. i guess skiles wouldnt be giving him the same opportunity here, though

dragula15 wrote:Dude's pro comparison from most scouting and draft sites had been Klay Thompson. He's looking pretty good so far. It's a good system for him too with no other go-to SG on that team.

I could see that comp stylistically, but I think he has an even greater "alpha-dog" mentality than Klay, which could afford him a bigger role in the offense going forward than Klay's typical "filling in the gaps" role.

Goner wrote:

dragula15 wrote:Dude's pro comparison from most scouting and draft sites had been Klay Thompson. He's looking pretty good so far. It's a good system for him too with no other go-to SG on that team.

I could see that comp stylistically, but I think he has an even greater "alpha-dog" mentality than Klay, which could afford him a bigger role in the offense going forward than Klay's typical "filling in the gaps" role.

Yeah I think he will be more reliable as a go to scorer and has the killer mentality to be a closer in crunchtime. Not as streaky as Klay who can on any given night go cold or drop 37 points in a single quarter. But Klay is definitely an above average on the ball defender even if he's not lockdown All-NBA level. Ideally Book should average 20+ PPG so that he gets more than he gives up

saintEscaton wrote:

Goner wrote:

dragula15 wrote:Dude's pro comparison from most scouting and draft sites had been Klay Thompson. He's looking pretty good so far. It's a good system for him too with no other go-to SG on that team.

I could see that comp stylistically, but I think he has an even greater "alpha-dog" mentality than Klay, which could afford him a bigger role in the offense going forward than Klay's typical "filling in the gaps" role.

Yeah I think he will be more reliable as a go to scorer and has the killer mentality to be a closer in crunchtime. Not as streaky as Klay who can on any given night go cold or drop 37 points in a single quarter. But Klay is definitely an above average on the ball defender even if he's lockdown All-NBA level and we're hoping that Book gets more than he gives up.

Generally, you hope that as a guy gets used to the pace and skill of the NBA level, his defense may improve, even slightly. Even if its just in the form of verbal communication rather than suddenly becoming an elite ball stopper.

Zmill wrote:its still really early but hes making me a little jealous as a magic fan. i guess skiles wouldnt be giving him the same opportunity here, though

I'm a huge fan of Hezonja and think that once he gets a chance to play, he'll look really good as well. Hoping Orlando can flip Oladipo somehow for a big who can play lock-down defense (maybe next year something around Oladipo for Noel?), to free him up. Seems like Skiles has him playing on a very tight leash though, whereas Booker definitely has the green light. Judging by how Booker's shot selection has evolved, was likely told he was told passive at the beginning of the season and that he needed to take more initiative. Best two shooters in this years draft class IMO, Booker and Hezonja.

...and this is why Jazz fans booed the Trey Lyles pick. Not because Lyles is bad, but because every fan in the arena knew the Jazz needed shooting.